HAWKER HENLEY
- The Hawker Henley was designed under the direction of Sydney Camm as
a light day bomber to Specification PA/34, making use of many features
of the Hawker Hurricane including
mainplanes and tail unit. With crew of two in tandem, the Hawker Henley
carried 550 Ib (250 kg) of bombs internally and eight 25 Ib (11.4 kg)
bombs on wing racks, a wing-mounted Vickers 0.303 in (7.7 mm) gun and
a Lewis gun in the rear cockpit. Powered by a 980 hp Merlin F, prototype
Hawker Henley I flew on March 10, 1937, and second prototype with 1,030
hp Merlin II on May 26, 1938. Latter converted to target-tug by Gloster,
which company produced to Specification 42/36, 200 Hawker Henley target-tugs
with Merlin II, III or V engines, after single-engined day bomber concept
had been abandoned. From late 1939 to late 1942, Hawker Henleys served
primarily with Air Gunnery Schools and Anti-Aircraft Cooperation Units.
Max speed (with drogue target),
200-270 mph (322-434 kmlh). Gross weight, 8,480 Ib (3,850 kg). Span, 47
ft lO'/z in (14.59 m). Length, 36 ft 5 in (11.09m).
